best actresses of the 2000s

More than 20 years after winning her first Best Actress prize for Fargo, Frances McDormand returned to the winners circle for her portrayal of Mildred Hayes, a mourning mother who wants justice for her slain daughter. At the end of the day, though, Im critiquing performancesnot politics. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. She makes you believe that Carter would eventually get over her sense of caution to help get Cash to, um, walk the line. 2 = 50%, Vol. Moviegoers had seen Marion Cotillard in films such as Big Fish and A Good Year, but they hadnt really seen her until she played the momentously troubled Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri gave the actress a terrific platform for her flinty, no-fucks-given persona. Her pivotal role in saving the hero of the franchises makes her a hero in her own right. You know the old complaint that there arent enough good roles for women in Hollywood? Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar for best actress in a supporting role for her performance in Ghost. But then, not everyone is Cate Blanchett. Im not 100% sold on Kidman inThe Hours, but Im fine with her win. Wherever she goes, haunting and hypnotic aura surrounds her, as shes always dressed in all black attire adorned with tattoos and piercings. 4 = 25%, Vol. Natasha Jane Richardson was born in Marylebone, London, England, to director and producer Tony Richardson and actress Vanessa Redgrave. How I Met Your Mother. Jessica Chastain won the prize for her role as Tammy Faye Bakker, wife of controversial televangelist Jim Bakker, in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, a biopic that outlined the Bakkers troubled marriage and her support for LGBT rights. With the perfect blend of menace and charm, Hannibal surpasses other typical villains in movies, making him the creepiest of them all. Fun fact: Sandra Bullock also won a Razzie in 2009 for the execrableAll About Steve. Thurmans performance goes beyond her excellence in action sequences. The movie starts out a fairly standard exploration of two American girls (Vicky and Cristina, natch) exploring Spain, trying to be adventurous, misbehaving a bit, and becoming entangled with a painter named Juan Antonio who oozes sexual charisma (played by Javier Bardem, natch). He is a dedicated secret agent who cannot be stopped and who is always one step ahead of his enemies. Cate also won the Golden Globe, the SAG Award, and the BAFTA Award for her leading role inBlue Jasmine. 2 Jamie Bell - Billy Elliot (2000) Jamie Bell 's first role ever was Billy Elliot, one of the best British movies of all time. Michelle Yeoh, Jessica Chastain, and Meryl Streep are among the 79 talented women to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Heres a character whose optimism is boundless, and you fear what will happen if the cruel crush of reality ever knocks her down. He never fails to shock people with his comic but deadly killing methods. The reason this movies (ahem) sucker punch lands so well comes down to the actress who took on the lead role. 4. Jacqueline Bisset. That she could also make Mildred so funny was merely the icing on the cake. McDormand, who also served as a producer on Nomadland, was the films emotional center; she didnt just play the movies wandering widow so much as imbue the story with its tough-love, no-bullshit sensibility. No Country for Old Men introduced an exceptionally terrifying to the screen. Jigsaw, the mastermind behind it all, is a well-calculated psychopathic killer. In fact, she should have won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1995 for Sense and Sensibility, but that didnt happen. Jackie Brown actress Pam Grier also made this list, as did the striking Think Like a Man beauty, Meagan Good. Should have won in 2004:Much was made of the rematch between Swank and Annette Bening (who previously lost to Swank in 1999), but things shook out the right way in the end. It is not just its well-executed fight choreography, breathtaking soundtrack, and Tarantinos skillful directing that makes Kill Bill such a great movie of the 2000s. From "Bully" to "Sleepers" to "Ghost World," Renfro was known for bringing pathos and substance to every . In the Best Actress category, Frances came out on top over Viola Davis (Ma Raineys Black Bottom),Andra Day(The United States vs. BillieHoliday), Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman), andCarey Mulligan(Promising Young Woman). That feel-good narrative fueled her Oscar win, but with perspective its clear that her performance as the no-nonsense Leigh Anne Tuohy is little more than a folksy amusement without a lot of depth behind it. Ledger was so iconic that he ended up stealing the spotlight even with a star-studded cast that included Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and others. Erin Brockovich was a particular success for the two, as it was a great hit without the ensemble of Ocean's Eleven or Magic Mike, and instead purely relied on the star power of Julia Roberts. Erin Brockovichremains one of Julias most celebrated projects. Anthon stands as one of the most realistic portrayals of a psychopathic killer, solidifying his place as one of the most iconic characters of 2000s movies. Similar to iconic horror villains like Michael Meyers, Freddy Krueger, Hannibal Lectre, Leatherface and others, Jigsaw solidifies his status as one of the most terrifying villains in horror movie history. 1. Yes, shes a horrible person who commits unspeakable acts against her children, but shes also an abandoned, unloved wife. With Legolas and Will Turner, Orlando Bloom became the king of the franchises in the 2000s. Its very easy to dismiss her Oscar win just one more glamorous actress burying herself in unattractive makeup to prove her dramatic bona fides, right? The worst thing that happened to Kate Winslet, arguably, is that she made herself inevitable. Charlize, who also produced the film, starred opposite Christina Ricci, who played Aileens lover Selby Wall. That reduces her to a character archetype desperately trying to haunt a film that doesnt actually want to be about her. Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married(2008), 7. During this decade, filmmakers embraced the power of . Charlize Theronmurdered the competition in the 2004 Best Actress race for playing serial killer Aileen Wuournos inMonster. Witherspoon makes you believe that she sees the best in him, even at his lowest. She is the daughter of homemaker Dorothea Marie (Wirth) and gas station owner James Jefferson Allen. Since Rose, Cotillard has often played bewitching, heartbreaking love interests in American films, but the rawness she brought to 2014s Two Days, One Night proves that Piafs fluid pain is something she can access when the right role requires it. Renee was up againstCynthia Erivo(Harriet), Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story), Saoirse Ronan (Little Women), and Charlize Theron (Bombshell). Leelee Sobieski. Some, the audiences abhor, some inspire admiration, and others, they simply cannot forget. And still, it is flooring that that made her the frontrunner throughout award season. If anyone deserves an Oscar, its Kate Winslet. The Bride is relentless in her quest to take down all those from her past who have wronged her and anyone who gets in her way. Rachel Leigh Cook Rachel Leigh Cook was huge at the beginning of the millennium with flicks like She's All That, Josie and the Pussycats, and Antitrust. Here's the list of winners since the year 2000. This divine being isnt just one of the most powerful and wisest beings in Middle-earth, he is also one of the most revered characters in this enchanting tale. Fun fact: because Javier Bardem won Best Supporting Actor the previous year, he was able to present his wife with her Academy Award. Julia Roberts and director Steven Soderbergh have had some great collaborations, including the Ocean's Trilogy . But what this amounts to in the end is a lot of shots of Connelly staring sadly (albeit beautifully) at things. She was also nominated for her role in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple. But that doesnt explain the depth of anguish Theron brought to the role, the sense of active wrestling within Wuornoss head as she tries to make a life with a new lover (Christina Ricci) while killing her johns in a misguided attempt to cope with the abuse she suffered as a child. Connelly is earnest, but maybe thats the problem. Michelle Yeoh accepts her #Oscar for Best Actress: "For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. In a category filled with brassy performances, Julia Roberts reigns supreme. Theron isnt interested in explaining Wuornos, which makes Monster all the most unsettling: Its very possible Wuornos herself couldnt grapple with the mess of demons swirling inside her. 1. But what made you care was Charlize Therons eye-opening performance. Should have won in 2000: Julia. Colman had made a career in British television as an ace comedienne (Peep Show) and deft dramatic presence (Broadchurch), but it wasnt until The Favourite that moviegoers and especially American audiences got to see her combine both talents. Related: Best Superhero Movies of All Time, Ranked. Sandra Bullock, Natalie Portman, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Cate Blanchett led the first half of the 2010s as the top actresses in Hollywood to bring home the highest acting . It feels urgent, compelling and lifelike without ever feeling fussed-over or a fluke. Her revered role in theHolocaust dramaThe Readerwas as Hanna Schmitz, a Nazi soldier facing war crimes. Put it this way: This will probably be the only actress ranking on the Web that slots Meryl dead last. Between the years 2000 and 2009, audiences were treated to some of the most impressive movie casts ever assembled. In our worst nightmares, we fear it resembles Cate Blanchetts comic/tragic portrayal of the recently widowed Jasmine in Woody Allens dark comedy, which stands back with a mixture of restraint and horror as it observes a womans painful unraveling. Should have won in 2008:Some thought Viola Davis would take home the Oscar for her dramatic breakthrough performance inDoubt, but in the end there, ahem, was no doubt at all that Cruz deservedit. The pop strained R&B ballads of these girl groups became exceedingly popular with teens globally. 2023 Rolling Stone, LLC. Shes brassy. In other words, Kidmans low placement on this list is less an indictment of her performance than an indication of the glassy film for which she won. Charlize Theron looksnothing like Aileen Wuornos, a real-life prostitute in Daytona Beach who became one of the few female serial killers in American history. And if were only judging on performances, theres nowhere else to put Cotillard. Flawless is the word that comes to mind when thinking of Helen Mirren inThe Queen. By: Eric Todisco,. Whats both gratifying and infuriating about the Oscars is encapsulated in whos received Best Actress statuettes over the last two decades. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. (Garland died at age 47; Zellweger was 50 when she claimed her Judy Oscar.) Im just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream. In that way, she was very closely aligned to her character Maggie, who escapes dead-end Missouri to get to Los Angeles to train with Clint Eastwoods cranky gym owner and become a champion boxer. Her valiant efforts also extend to fighting Death Eaters and so many other heroic actions. Zellweger stood out for playing a scrappy drifter in a movie that was by and large too leaden and self-serious for its own good. Mary, her abusive mother character, plumbed unheralded depths of despair in cinemamostly because this kind of character is largely ignored by mainstream media. If you scroll through trivia about the movie on IMDb, it even turns out that a lot of the characters signature moments were Zeta-Jones idearight down to her hairstyle (director Rob Marshall wanted Zeta-Jones long brown locks, she insisted on the bob). From Frodo, Aragorn, Legolas, Samwise, and others, The Lord of the Rings boasts of series of iconic characters, each eliciting support and admiration from viewers. Marguerite Churchill 1910-2000; Ciara born () October 25, 1985 (age 37) Candy Clark born () June 20, 1947 (age 76) Judy Clark 1924-2002; Melinda Clarke born () April 24, 1969 (age 54) Sarah Clarke born () February 16, 1972 (age 51) Patricia Clarkson born () December 29, 1959 (age 63) Jill Clayburgh 1944-2010 Oscars Red Carpet 2022: Photos Of Academy Awards Arrivals, Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter, Best Actor Winners Of The 2000s, Including Leonardo DiCaprio, Anthony Hopkins, & More, Best Picture Winners Of The 2000s: From American Beauty To 'Nomadland', Oscars Winners 2022: Billie Eilish & More Stars Who Won Academy Awards - Full List, Kim Zolciaks Husband Kroy Biermann: Everything To Know About Their Marriage & Almost Divorce, Body Language Experts Reveal Exactly How Kate Middleton Was Feeling at the Recent Polo Match, How To Watch Yankees Games Live For Free To Catch Every Strike & Home Run, Women Leaders Share: The Money Advice That Has Made All the Difference in Their Personal and Business Finances. Well, queen bee until Roxie Hart gets arrested and starts stealing all of her headlines. Meryl Streep is her generations greatest actress hell, she might be the finest actress of several generations. When it comes to iconic characters in horror films, Hannibal Lectre (Anthony Hopkins) is a must-mention. Should have won in 2003:It was definitely Therons year. After four Oscar nominations, Julianne Moorewon her first Academy Award thanks to her dazzling performance inStill Alice. In fact, she should have won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1995 for Sense and Sensibility, but that didn't happen. Tiffany is empowered by her attractiveness and sexuality, but shes also afraid of what falling in love with a new man (Bradley Cooper) might mean. Even her body language changes as time goes by, perfectly indicating the passage of time and how it has left its mark. Her fellow nominees Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Viola Davis (The Help), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), and Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn) were all fabulous in their respective roles, as well. Alice is still there, and yet shes not, and the star honors the mysteries of a body thats lost its inner light and yet retained its ineffable soul. In the brilliant ensemble cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Viggo Mortensens portrayal of this beloved hero managed to be on a whole different level. This is proof that dreams dream big and dreams do come true, she said. This is another case where critics kept remarking on how Halle Berry really transformed herself for her turn as a dirt-poor womanwho loses her husband and overweight son, then puts her life back together with unexpected help from a formerly racist man she helps see the world in a new light (yes, you read that correctly). The Academy had viable picks in the Best Actress category with nominees Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right), Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole), Jennifer Lawrence (Winters Bone), and Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine). Lisbeth Salander The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Aragorn Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The 10 Greatest Fantasy Movie Characters of All Time, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Best Superhero Movies of All Time, Ranked. One that burns the screen down with its intensity, leaving you breathless. Kate Winslet, The Reader (2008) If anyone deserves an Oscar, it's Kate Winslet. The Top 10 Actresses of the Decade. Getty Images. I would argue not. Hermione is an iconic character who saved Henry and Ron from the Devils Snare, solved Snapes potions riddle, punched Malfoy in the face, and taught Harry and Ron the Leviosa spell, among many other achievements. Spacek. Any other year this performance could have grabbed the top spot, but she gets edged out here by two roles that were technically irreproachable. And shes exactly what the movie needed to send it into a tailspin and out of its own ass. To date, Halle remains the only African-American woman to have won Best Actress at the Academy Awards. This is a music biopic that throws chronology out the window, preferring thematic connections to a straight recounting of events, and Cotillards performance is equally adventurous, playing the singer as a tumultuous talent whose passions both fed her artistry and destroyed her. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Amanda Seyfried Actress | Les Misrables Amanda Seyfried was born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Ann (Sander), an occupational therapist, and Jack Seyfried, a pharmacist. Or the Joker in The Dark Knight or even Regina George in Mean Girls? 4,750 votes. Lisa Kudrow Actress | Friends Hardly the dumb blonde of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), Lisa was born in Encino, California on July 30, 1963. Far from being a delusional killer, he operates with meticulous precision and carries out his killings without an ounce remorse. Despite being a cannibalistic killer, his intelligence, elegance, and politeness makes him a villain that captivates and garners support of many who would not approve of his gory habits. Telling off corporate bigwigs, squaring off with a possible love interest (Aaron Eckhart) and hurling magnificent amounts of attitude at Albert Finneys befuddled boss, Roberts doesnt so much embody a role as she perfects her persona. Fight at Michigan GOP Meeting Turns Physical: Report, Coldplay Pay Tribute to Elton John During Final Farewell Concert in Sweden, DeSantis Whines to Fox News That 'the Media' Is Sabotaging His Campaign. For any of you out there who do in fact feel hopeless or alone, you are unconditionally loved for the uniqueness that is you, the actress said during her speech, while condemning the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills sweeping the United States. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Catherine Zeta-Jones is polished and unflappable asChicagos queen bee prisoner, Velma Kelly. However, amongst these iconic and admirable characters, one stands out and that is Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen). What I really like about Witherspoon in this movie is that she goes toe to toe with Joaquin Phoenixs brilliant portrayal of Johnny Cash and never misses a beat. With these remarkable qualities, his impressive swordsmanship, and beyond, he became a favorite character among many viewers. Nope. Salma Hayek(Frida), Diane Lane (Unfaithful), Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven), and Renee Zellweger (Chicago), were nominated against Nicole, but her transformation into Virginia was better than all the rest. All rights reserved. And its in that quiet command that the actress sums up all thats admirable and also antiquated about the British Monarchy: its constant, comforting continued existence, as well as its blinkered myopia. what remained was Emma Stones performance as Mia. Despite her violent tendencies, demanding and creepy nature, theres no doubt Lisbeth is a genius and beloved heroine. Jennifer remains a one-time Oscar winner and four-time nominee. I dont really think about anything too much, Olivia Colman told Rolling Stone while trying to explain her approach to playing Queen Anne in Yorgos Lanthimos biting, oddly touching period comedy. When Christopher Nolans The Dark Knight was released, it blew people away and went on to become a box office hit. And how many performers could have lent such grace and maternal grit to the part while also being the perfect screen partner to the equally intense Jacob Tremblay? Its not easy to portray an indomitable spirit, but Stone reveals all the courage and faith that go into believing in love and dreams. The film, which is based on a true story, also starred Tim McGraw as Sandras husband, while Quinon Aaron played Big Mike. Sandra snagged her first, and so far only, Oscar win over Helen Mirren (That Last Station),Carey Mulligan (An Education), Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), and Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia). Two recent graduates of Catholic University in Washington DC, went to the audition in New York for Joe (1970). Should have won in 2007:Believe it or not, this wasnt supposed to be Cotillards year. The most astounding part is the victims do not know the identity of the killer behind the mask. Lawrence plays Tiffany, a recent widow whos mourning her dead husband and battling ongoing issues with depression. Reese already had memorable film roles inElectionandLegally Blonde, but ultimately, it wasWalk the Line that secured the superstar her first Academy Award. Cate Blanchett(Elizabeth: The Golden Age), Julie Christie (Away from Her), Laura Linney (The Savages) and Elliot Page (Juno) were the talented stars who lost to Marion in her first Oscar win. Revisit Silver Linings Playbook, however, and the reasons for the young actresss ascension become abundantly clear. Her fellow nominees were Cate Blanchett (Carol), Jennifer Lawrence (Joy), Charlotte Rampling (45 Years), and Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn). The British-American actress received a number of Teen Choice Awards. Shed lost the Best Actress race twice in a row (first forBridget Jones Diary, then with a much more serious bid forChicago). Nicole Kidmans performance as depressed novelist Virginia Woolf inThe Hourswas unforgettable. Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain (2003) Renee Zellweger made her win inevitable through three years of Oscar campaigning. Consider this proof. Stars matter: Rarely has that been truer than when Julia Roberts locked onto the story of Erin Brockovich, a struggling single mother who helped fight for a small Southern California community that had been slowly poisoned by a Goliath energy corporation. Here's the list of winners since the year 2000. Sandra Bullockdelivered a tearjerking (and award-winning) performance inThe Blind Side, which follows white parents who adopt a Black teenager and assist in his rise into the NFL. The 1st Academy Awards ceremony was held in 1929 with Janet Gaynor . First L. Updated May 20, 2022 4.1K votes 297 voters. Renee Zellweger made her win inevitable through three years of Oscar campaigning. We focused on the individual performance, not the actresss body of work, which led to some strange outcomes. Like several of the Best Actress winners on this list, Witherspoon has been stronger and subtler in other roles, but Walk the Line provided her lively, down-to-earth persona with its most award-worthy platform. Saw stands out as one of the first brilliant horror films of the 2000s, presenting a masked villain who consistently outsmarts the cops, his victims and every of his opponent in this horror mystery. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson,Roomearned Brie her first-ever Oscar nomination and win. Based on a series of seven fantasy novels written by J.K Rowling and directed by Chris Columbus, the Harry Potter film series takes viewers on a journey as Harry Potter embarks on his wizarding life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She couldnt be beat by fellow nomineesIsabelle Huppert(Elle),Ruth Negga(Loving), Natalie Portman (Jackie), and Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins). Bloom diversified his resum working with prestigious directors, including Cameron . Should have won in 2006:Any of the other actresses nominatedwould have made a better winner, but the most deserving performance wasnt among the nominees at all: Emily Blunts wonderfully mean assistant inThe Devil Wears Prada. Halle Berrys 2002 Oscar win was historic then and now. English actress Cate Blanchett rose to prominence with her 1998 Oscar-nominated performance in Elizabeth, marking the path for her success in the 2000s. Julianne Moore was great as a distraught housewife inFar From Heaven, Salma Hayek was revelatory in Frida, and Renee Zellweger delighted as a merry murderess in Chicago. Hardens win was a shock, but in the end it was the right choice. His performance earned him a well-deserved award. Over time, Maximus has remained popular, symbolizing strength, honor, and resilience. Please note that although I may comment on an actress who was snubbed, but that ultimately cannot have an impact on rank. Or maybe thats just me. Renee Zellwegers remarkable performance as Judy Garland in the biopicJudysecured the superstar her second Oscar, and first in the Best Actress category. She went on to thank everyone involved in the film before shouting out her family. We want to hear it. https://t.co/ndiKiHfmID pic.twitter.com/pQN8nHDhCx. Michelle Yeoh won the award for her portrayal of Evelyn Wang in Everything Everywhere All At Once a film that did incredibly well at the 95th Annual Academy Awards. Peter Jacksons The Lord of the Rings Trilogy remains undeniably a timeless masterpiece, and Aragorn, without a doubt, stands as an iconic figure celebrated for his bravery, leadership and selfless determination to protect Middle-Earth. Her pursuit of revenge on those who betrayed her, her iconic screams, and her craziest action of setting herself on fire at the end just to make Cady the meanest girl in school are some of her outrageous antics. Harry Potter is the hero of this enchanting fantasy tale, but he wouldnt have survived long enough without this bright and smart witch. Dont get me wrong: I love Sandra Bullock. on Trump's Claim He'd End War with Russia in a Day, 'He Kicked Me in My Balls.' The worst thing that happened to Kate Winslet, arguably, is that she made herself inevitable. Cate Blanchetts second Oscar came from playing a rich Manhattan socialite who moves into her working sisters apartment in San Francisco. It's a difficult performance, as the actor must be able to dance . 5 = 20 %, Vol. One of her generations finest actors, Chastain played Tammy Faye with intelligence and compassion, nailing the womans eccentricities not to mention the pain underneath that plastered-on smile and aggressively cheery voice. It would be impossible to do this list if I took the personal lives of all the actors into consideration.

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best actresses of the 2000s